About the Author

Nicole Villalpando writes about families for Raising Austin, as well as homes in Life & Arts and Real magazine and edits Life & Style, Gardening and Faith. She is also the editor of Season for Caring, the American-Statesman's annual charity campaign that has raised more than $7 million in cash and in-kind goods and services for area nonprofits since it began in 1999.She has been with the American-Statesman since 1999 and lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, two cats and one out-numbered dog.